Internationals Will Skelton and Grégory Alldritt are expected to play in the late Top 14 match at Stade Rochelais in Toulon on Saturday afternoon.
On September 21, Toulon was supposed to welcome La Rochelle to Mayol for the 3rd day of Top 14. However, that weekend exceptional bad weather hit the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, causing the meeting to be postponed. This has been postponed to this Saturday, November 8 (kick-off at 4:30 p.m.). Very bad news for the Maritimes, whose coach Ronan O’Gara was quite annoyed this week. “It’s a disaster” he said, regretting traveling to the Var for a second time this season and not benefiting from two weeks of vacation like the other Top 14 teams during the international break.
Deprived of several captains retained in the selection, Ronan O’Gara will have to do without, among others, Nolann Le Garrec, Paul Boudehent and the Georgian Davit Niniashvili. However, the Irish technician could well register significant reinforcements. Starting with Will Skelton. The great 2nd row, back in competition three days earlier against Racing 92 (33-6), had notably participated in the Rugby Championship under the colors of Australia. Against the Ciel et Blanc, the Wallaby played for an hour. It’s less than Grégory Alldritt. Holder, the 3rd row released by the XV of France in the middle of the week played the entire match, scoring his first try of the season as a bonus.
Cancoriet back
Probably not selected once again by Fabien Galthié, the French international will probably join his team this Thursday after the announcement of the French XV called to challenge the Springboks on Saturday evening. “It’s complicated when players can only be available on Fridays. Afterwards, it also depends on the status. For a player like him (Alldritt, editor’s note), it’s easier than for a young person. I don’t know if he will be there,” commented Romain Carmignani, our colleagues at
The Team. In addition to Grégory Alldritt and Will Skelton, the La Rochelle pack will also include the return from injury of Judicaël Cancoriet. Excellent news for the ASR, deprived of Paul Boudehent and Oscar Jegou during this window of international matches.
